Yamaha Music India Concludes Yamaha Teens Rock 2026 Grand Finale

Yamaha Music India has concluded the seventh edition of Yamaha Teens Rock – The Battle of Bands 2026, with the Neuhof School Band from Neuhof English Medium School, Mizoram emerging as the winner.

The Grand Finale, powered by Trinity College London, was held at the Prestige Centre for Performing Arts in Bengaluru, bringing together young bands from across India for a showcase of live performance, creativity and collaboration.

CS Howlers from CS Academy, Tamil Nadu were named the first runners-up, while The Apricity from Shri Hanuman Mandir Dharamshala School, West Bengal secured the second runner-up position.

The finale featured performances by the finalist bands along with special acts by students from KM Music Conservatory, The Sunshine Orchestra and Yamaha Artists. The young musicians also performed in the presence of A.R. Rahman, Brand Ambassador, Yamaha Music India.

The 2026 edition witnessed more than 680 registrations and over 270 video submissions from young bands across India. The competition involved multiple rounds of online and offline auditions, including semifinals held across 13 Yamaha Music Square locations, before six bands advanced to the Grand Finale.

The finalists were evaluated on musicality, creativity, stage presence and overall performance quality by a jury comprising Yamaha Artists Ranjit Barot, Gulraj Singh and Rhythm Shaw, along with Stuart Briner, Director of Music and Performing Arts, Trinity College London.

Speaking about the initiative, Kennei Sakai, Managing Director, Yamaha Music India, said Teens Rock was created as a platform to encourage young people to make music together, express themselves and build confidence through performance.

The partnership with Trinity College London also aims to strengthen the connection between music education and live performance, giving young musicians opportunities to develop their skills while gaining real-world stage experience.

With Teens Rock, Yamaha Music India is positioning the initiative beyond a competition, with a broader focus on youth participation, music learning and the development of India’s emerging band culture.